BIKE ROUT "PARENZANA"THE ROUTE OF HEALTH AND FRIENDSHIP

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Explore the heart of Istria while cycling through the most atractive routeof the ex - railroad!

Being aware of the fabulous beauty trail’s, interwoven into the mild Istrian landscape, numerous passionate walkers, researchers, cyclists and nature lovers have started to visit the famous former railroad in order to discover the railway's geographical, historical and ethnic value arising from the fact that the Parenzana used to connect three countries and their inhabitants. For those of you who would like to experience this famous journey back through history, QUICK gives the opportunity to enjoy the unforgettable bike tour which follows the most attractive and scenic part of the Parenzana rail route travelling between Grožnjan and Vižinada.

Parenzana ... once upon a time

On September 20th1876, the eagerly awaited Istrian railway was solemnly opened. Istrians were disappointed because it was mainly built for the purpose of the army and having no direct economic and commercial contribution for "ordinary" people. This railway, with its route travelling through the middle of the peninsula, was neglecting the cities in hinterland and it’s products such as olive oil and wine which were not being exposed on the global market. The 123 km railway line travelled through 9 tunnels, 11 bridges, 6 viaducts and numerous accompanying facilities, such as railway stations, warehouses, water supply stations, etc. The very first train came from Trieste to Buie (59km) on April 1st1902., and soon after, on December 15th of the same year it travelled from Buie to Poreč (64km).

The end of Parenzana

However, even its symbolic 33 year operation and 33 marginal Istrian cities, which the Parenzana connected to the rest of Europe, were not enough for it to prolong its lifespan. Soon after it ceased to operate, the Parenzana was being advertised for public auction where almost everything was sold, cars and locomotives ended up starting new lives on the Italian railways.A story exists, which history has not been able to verify, which suggests that rails were dissembled and loaded onto a ship travelling to Abyssinia and ended up at the bottom Mediterranean Sea instead of Africa for reasons unknown. Luckily, the memories of the legendary railway did not sink together with the ship.